I was sat down debating whether to define The Florida Project as a feel good film. It portrays a bleak reality for a young mother and daughter. However, the way in which it finds light in the dark times with such humanity really provides an integrity and an honest feel good experience. Therefore, despite the fact I do cry at this film, it makes the list.

We start off with Kool and The Gang’s “Celebration” booming out loud in the title sequence as protagonist Moony (Brooklynn Prince) and friend Scooty go and cause their summer holiday mischief. They spit on a nearby car, owned by young Jancy’s family. Mooney and Scooty befriend Jancy and the film focuses on their summer adventures.

Moony lives in the magic kingdom. A block of low-budget brightly painted motels where people stay permanently. She and mother Halley (Bria Vinaite) are some of the many invisible homeless who are in the shadow of Disneyland Florida. Despite being in a poor area, the whole thing is magical to Mooney and we very much see things from her eyes.

Anyone with issues she naively doesn’t realise how deep they are. The fact that her and her friends have to beg for money for ice-cream becomes a game as they make up excuses about their doctors saying they need it. When the food bank comes along, Mooney is happy as she can get bread and have jam sandwiches with Jancey. They find a field with a cow and call it their safari and the whole time is magic, because despite what ever is going on in the background, she is focused on having fun and being a child

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A more aware character is mother Halley. She struggles with things, yet finds solace in others. Her only guide in the world is hotel-manager Bobby (Willem Dafoe) who tries to keep hope and morale up and is the audience’s window into the world. Despite her issues, her chemistry and love of her daughter, who she would do anything to protect, really keep the humanity and purity in this film and allow us to smile and appreciate Mooney’s illusion of the world.

The upbeat music, the constant pastel colour scheme of buildings and sunny weather really helped add to the atmosphere. Mooney’s positive outlook in adversity is infectious, with the whole cast trying to make the most of the hands they’re dealt. While this is a film with sad undertones, it’s undeniably full of innocence.